Reading
Three more reasons to read more
Did you know that picking up a book is good for your health? Here’s why you should include reading in your daily routine.
Many of us have good intentions about reding the latest novel or autobiography, but all too often life gets in the way and other things take priority.
But what if you made reading part of your to-do list every day? Research shows that reading has many health benefits, from keeping your mind stimulated to reducing stress and even aiding sleep. With World Book Day coming up on 23rd April, here are three reasons to pick up a book.
Reduces Stress
Many of us spend our days rushing from place to place, whether its for work or for our home life. Not only does reading offer an escape from the stresses of daily life, the physical action of reading a book means that we are forced to be still, reducing our cortisol levels. It’s been shown that 30 minutes of reading can lower blood pressure and heart rate as much as practising yoga.
Helps you Sleep
Looking at screens just before bedtime is not recommended, as the light emitted can have a negative effect on our sleep patterns. Instead, make reading a book (not an e-book) part of your night-time routine. This helps signal to your body that it’s time to wind down before your head hits the pillow.
Slow Cognitive Decline
Just as doing cardio such as a jog or fast walk is good for your heart, reading helps give your brain a workout. As we age, we experience a decline in memory and brain function, but research has shown that reading regularly may help to slow down that decline, keeping us sharper for longer. In fact, studies have even demonstrated that those who exercise their brains with activities such as reading, chess or puzzles are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.